The Gift of Time
How to add through subtraction - the new math
Can you believe the end of the year is just a few weeks away? Everyone I’ve talked to recently has commented about how fast this year flew by. Like - how is it possible that this is the 14th issue of The LIFT already? For fourteen weeks we have been meeting here every Sunday! Have you subscribed? (If you want to see what you’ve missed, you’ll find past issues archived here.)
WHAT IS TIME
Time is a malleable thing. Meaning, our perception of time bends with our experience. We have all experienced it.
Reflecting on this year is a good example. On one hand - I can’t believe it’s already December. At the same time, when I look back, I can’t believe how SLOW this year has been. The big milestones that occurred this year - like my daughter’s wedding - seem like years ago. How is that?
Shouldn’t time just be time? The clock ticks the same every second. So, why doesn’t it seem that way? Why do some moments fly by while others drag on?
HOW TO BEND TIME
We act like time is flying around us - completely out of our control. But, is that really the case?
Have you ever played with time? Do you know which activities speed up time for you + which ones slow it down?
For me, time spent on social media is a complete time suck. I can’t believe how easy it is to lose 15 minutes with a quick glance at a notification. If I want to slow down time, I leave my phone in the other room.
Have you ever planned a day of just doing nothing? It is AMAZING how slow time goes when you just sit + literally do nothing. If I want to make time, I sit still. Even if just for five minutes.
The whole thing about the ‘watched kettle’ is so true.
If you want more time, all you have to do is be still. Stop. Take pause. Watch time slow down. It’s magic!
We have a LOT more control over time than we think (or behave).
THE NEW MATH
This year has been especially interesting. After experiencing 2020, which completely shook up all of our schedules + the backdrop of our lives, 2021 was the year of getting ‘back to life’. Some of us moved more slowly than others. Others made big shifts + completely changed directions.
But, one thing I have noticed is that my time reference still hasn’t come back. Sure, the big moments I remember the where + when, but the small ones (of which there were many) are a complete blur. Maybe that’s menopause. Maybe that’s COVID pause. Who knows?
Either way, the backdrop of life has changed - which impacts our perception of time.
Think about that for a minute.
The consistent flow + structure of life as our backdrop helps us track + measure time. Those annual events. Those holiday gatherings. Daily commutes. All that stuff - tells us what day it is + how much time has passed. Shutting that all down really disrupted our point of reference. It became hard to know what day it is or what month something occurred.
Are you feeling that?
It’s been really strange to experience, but I have to say, it’s also very exciting. By shaking it all up, we actually have more control over our time than ever.
We can really jump in + play with this once-in-a-lifetime experience to bend time in our favor. To slow things down or to speed things up. The choice is ours. We control the valve.
Time is a gift. How we use the gift is up to us.
It’s the new math. If you want to ADD time, start subtracting…things, activities, people, social media, etc. If you want SUBTRACT time, start adding things that make time fly. There’s nothing wrong with either one. The point is that WE get to CHOOSE.
How are you going to spend the gift of time?
YOUR MISSION:
It’s easy to get caught up in all of the holiday madness at this time of year. Meanwhile, the final weeks of 2021 are marching by. Will they fly or will they crawl?
I challenge you over the next few weeks to play with time. Sit still for five minutes + watch time crawl. Notice how fast time flies when you lose yourself on your screen.
Have some fun practicing time-bending + use your new time-bending skills to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the holiday magic this month. 2022 is just around the corner.
And, don’t forget to share your experience with me! Let me know how it goes!
RESOURCES:
READ: 9 Ways to Improve Your Life Through Subtraction and the Science Behind It | becoming minimalist
READ: 5 Ways to Live More Intentionally | Rich in What Matters
READ: 25 Productivity Hacks, According To Highly Productive People | The Bustle
READ: 54 Things Absolutely Nobody Should be Storing, Anywhere | Apartment Therapy
READ: 10 Ways to Create More Time in Your Day | Zen Business
IN SUMMARY:
I hope you enjoy this season in magical ways. Time is definitely a gift + it’s one of the best gifts you can give to someone else. When you live with more intention + focus, you have more time to give to others. And, isn’t that what life is all about?
NOTE: This is the last issue of The LIFT for 2021. The next issue will drop on January 2, 2022! I can’t wait to jump into the new year with you! So much good stuff to share + talk about. In the meantime, you can use this time to catch up on any issues you missed. The full archive is here.
Join me this month in giving the gift of time to those you love. Slow down. Refocus. Set your intentions. And savor the magic! Happy Holidays!
See you next year?
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, please share it using the button below. And, if you’d like to stay in touch in real-time during the week, you can find me on Instagram @redefiningkaren or on Facebook @cleanbeautyadvocate.
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In the meantime, tell your friends!
I love that you're taking a break. You deserve it! Thanks for beginning your newletter this year! I've enjoyed it! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Karen! <3